For the last several years I have been involved with a ministry named Pastor in Residence (PIR). A couple of anecdotes will illustrate the nature of my involvement with PIR.

Joe came to us as a result of a contact with his parents who are full-time missionaries. He had grown up in a Christian home, attended a Christian college and has been involved in youth ministry. Having developed a successful – multi-media ministry as well. He became involved in inappropriate situations involving young women in his youth group. He was not only dismissed from his position but also faced misdemeanor charges for this. Suffering the consequences of his sin and behavior, Joe is attempting to put his life back together and salvage a ministry. It is not the role of PIR to determine his fitness, but rather to help him in his walk with God. Joe continues to suffer the consequences of his immorality. He has found it difficult to gain employment, maintain lasting friendships and be involved in a local church. Our goal was to provide him with some kind of accountability and encouragement. Although he has fallen out of contact with us, he reportedly still is involved in attending worship services.

Alan had pastored his congregation for over 14 years. The small flock had not kept up with the growth of the community around it and some of the leaders felt that it was marginalized. His faithful ministry was interrupted by a small faction of dissatisfied members. Finally he was terminated. Having lived in the parsonage he had no equity to purchase a home; he and his wife are forced to live in the off-season vacation home of his son-in-law located in another state. His denomination offered no assistance or support and Alan was isolated. He wondered where God was and why he felt so abandoned. Through the ministry of PIR, the Lord reached into the situation and provided hope and renewed zeal for ministry. Finally, after 2 and half years, Alan was returned to ministry and has been in the process of placing a new congregation in a different state.

The Pastor in Residence program is a ministry specifically designed for pastors and ministry leaders in transition. This restorative process provides a safe environment for working through the loss associated with an exit from ministry. The Pastor in Residence process is an individually tailored process so that the exited pastor and his family can find hope and begin discovering the next steps God might have for them.

If you would like to learn more about his mission agency, you can find out more at: http://pirministries.org

If you would like to correspond with me, you can do so through: wdslawter@gmail.com

If you would like to donate to my ministry, either a one-time gift or ongoing monthly support, you can contribute by mailing to PIR ministries, Inc., P.O.  Box 64934, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23467 – 4934. If it is more convenient online, go to: PIRministries.org and click on “Donate” at the top of the webpage.  On the bottom of the page, click “Donate Online.”  Then click “Staff” and finally, “Kip Slawter” and follow the prompts.  If you donate, I would greatly appreciate it if you would also contact me so that I can ensure that the donation is applied. Thank you for your prayers and consideration of this request. (Personal gifts may be mailed to 25 Park Ave., Newport News, VA, 23607.)